The sunset of Mary Lou’s life occurred on Monday morning, May 20. She took her freedom flight and soared to the light. A kindly neighbor wrote to me, “You lost your mom but Heaven got a new angel.”

She was 95 years old and was battling Alzheimer’s. A friend lovingly said, “She laid down to take a nap and forgot to wake up.”

Mary Lou passed peacefully. And the way she passed was a blessing.

The beauty of her life and legacy of love and inspiration will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 14 with a Memorial Mass at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Pacific Beach, which was “God’s country,” according to Mary Lou.

We will always remember her words on her 90th birthday: “I never get bored. I never get lonely. I never feel sorry for myself. I count my blessings. Attitude is everything.”

She remained loving, nurturing, sweet and supportive.

She was interested in family members and friends, offering her sage snippets and words of wisdom and was “in the moment” to the end.

Mary Lou was loved by many: family, friends, family of friends and friends of family, neighbors of more than 60 years, folks who touched her life over all the years and caregivers at Where the Heart Is for the last four and a half years.